BREA OLINDA – Brea Olinda received a lift from its special teams in the second half, and the Wildcats held on late to defeat Esperanza, 36-31, Thursday night in a nonleague game at Brea Olinda High.
Grant Anderson recovered a fumble in punt coverage, and Noah Rivera returned a punt 57 yards for the Wildcats’ special teams. The two plays happened in a span of three minutes with each setting up a Brea Olinda touchdown.
Rivera converted the Aztec turnover into a 5-yard touchdown reception from Nick Drury to help the Wildcats (2-3) retake the lead. Mike Martinson scored on a 12-yard run after Rivera’s punt return to open up a 36-22 lead.
Esperanza (1-4) clawed its way back into the game. The Aztecs got a safety when the Wildcats snapped the ball out of their end zone. Patrick Campos’ 5-yard touchdown run with 2:44 remaining trimmed Esperanza’s deficit to 36-31.
The Aztecs forced a three-and-out on defense, but Trevor Markowitz could not connect with Devin Denos on a fourth-and-5 play.
Martinson had a big first half with 113 total yards and two touchdowns. He had a 29-yard run and a 60-yard reception that put the Wildcats up, 14-0, in the first quarter.
Diego Oropeza had a punt-return touchdown and a sack for the Wildcats.
Brett Mullins scored twice, and William Mathews had an interception and a sack for the Aztecs.
